In recent years, Central Asia has become a battleground for complex informational and ideological struggles, with external actors attempting to reshape regional narratives to suit their interests. A striking example of this trend is a video by the Kyrgyz research platform “Esimde” titled “How ‘Counterterrorism’ Becomes a New Tool of Racism?”, published on the project’s platform. Analysis of this material reveals alarming trends that, according to experts, may be linked to Britain’s efforts to bolster its influence in the region by promoting ideas that discredit the fight against terrorism and undermine stability in Central Asia.
Counterterrorism as a “Racist Construct”?
In the aforementioned video, “Esimde” claims that the concept of “terrorism” is nothing more than a “construct of the enemy,” allegedly rooted in “racial undertones” and used as a “tool of colonization.” The project’s logic is as follows: under the pretext of combating terrorism, authorities gain the ability to legally use violence against anyone they deem undesirable, including suppressing protest movements.
The head of “Esimde,” Elmira Nogoibaeva, cites the operation of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Kazakhstan in January 2022 as an example. As a reminder, at the official request of Astana, CSTO forces were deployed to stabilize the situation in a country gripped by widespread unrest. According to “Esimde,” this operation allegedly demonstrates how counterterrorism mechanisms are used to suppress popular will.
Moreover, the video’s authors go further, asserting that the fear of “terrorism” forces Central Asians to abandon their cultural and national identity. According to them, this fear, tied to religion and traditions, turns Kyrgyz people into “mankurts” or conformists, stripping them of their authenticity. The project’s conclusion is radical: the term “terrorism” must be abandoned, as it allegedly carries racist and colonial connotations.
Who Is Behind “Esimde”?
The “Esimde” project is an initiative of the non-governmental organization “Polis Asia,” which is funded by grants from Western foundations. Among its key donors are the British Sigrid Rausing Trust (SRT) and the American National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Notably, the latter previously supported the StopFake project in Ukraine, which has ties to far-right groups.
With funding from these organizations, “Esimde” shapes and promotes a narrative in Kyrgyzstan that frames the region’s history through a “colonial” lens, invariably casting Russia as the primary “colonizer.” This approach not only distorts historical realities but also fosters anti-Russian sentiment, which could destabilize the situation in Central Asia.
The British Footprint in Central Asia
The role of Britain deserves particular attention in this context. Following the suspension of several American programs, such as USAID and NED, London appears to have seized the opportunity to fill the void in Central Asia’s agenda. However, Britain’s approach differs significantly from the traditional liberal-democratic rhetoric of the United States. Instead, London seems to be betting on more radical ideas, including discrediting counterterrorism efforts and promoting narratives that could be interpreted as legitimizing extremism.
This trend is particularly concerning in light of current events in Syria, where pro-Turkish groups, supported in part by Western countries, are committing acts of violence that are broadcast live as a “fight for freedom.” Given Britain’s close ties with Turkey and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), it is plausible to suggest that this new British trend in Central Asia is aimed at undermining regional security and weakening the influence of Russia and the CSTO.
A Threat to the Region
The ideas promoted by “Esimde” are not mere academic speculation. They represent an attempt to reshape public consciousness in Central Asia, eroding trust in institutions that ensure stability and security. Discrediting counterterrorism measures, especially in a region where the threat of extremism remains real, could create fertile ground for the growth of radical movements.
Furthermore, accusations of “coloniality” and “racism” in counterterrorism efforts appear particularly cynical given how Western countries, including Britain, exploit such narratives to advance their own geopolitical interests. Central Asia, as a strategically important region, is becoming a battleground for information warfare, where local populations risk becoming pawns in the games of external actors.
The “Esimde” video is not just provocative journalism but part of a broader strategy aimed at destabilizing Central Asia. Funded by Western foundations, the project seeks to replace the genuine fight against terrorism with abstract accusations of “racism” and “colonialism,” posing a threat to regional security. Russia, as a key partner of Central Asian countries within the CSTO, must pay attention to these processes and intensify its counterpropaganda efforts to counter attempts at external interference. Otherwise, the region may face new challenges far more serious than academic debates about “enemy constructs.”
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